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January 18, 2011

Grocery Store Jobs on the Chopping Block

One popular wholesale chain is cutting hundreds of grocery store jobs. Check out http://grocery.coloradojobs.com for some jobs that are currently available.

BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc. recently announced that it will close five stores throughout the nation and layoff a number of store and corporate level employees. According to an article by The Wall Street Journal, the cuts are being made in an effort to improve operations.

The company is planning to close three stores in the Atlanta area, one store in Sunrise, Fla., and one store in Charlotte, N.C. All of those closings will result in the elimination of about 380 jobs. BJ's currently employs about 23,000 people in 194 warehouse clubs throughout 15 states.

BJ's also is planning to cut 114 corporate jobs, 61 of which are at the company's headquarters in Massachusetts, and 53 of which are field positions.

"Our management team has been working for several months on a strategic plan to optimize our performance and build for the future," Chief Executive Laura J. Sen said in a statement. "In making these very difficult but necessary choices, we eliminated positions held by team members who have contributed to our success. We will be supporting affected team members in many ways to help ease their transitions."

During December, BJ's saw same-store sales increase by 3.8 percent, which was lower than the expected increase of 4.4 percent. On top of that, the company's chief financial officer recently announced his plans to retire by the end of January.

Leonard Green & Partners LP, a private-equity firm, took a 9.5 percent stake in BJ's during the summer of 2010. That company has suggested that BJ's consider new financing or sale-leaseback deals.